Arolla · Val d'Hérens · high mountains
Peaks & glaciers of Arolla.
Mont-Collon, Pigne d'Arolla, Aiguille de la Tsa: a high-mountain cirque at the head of the Val d'Hérens, the historic cradle of Valais mountaineering.
At the head
of the valley.
Arolla is the last village in the Val d'Hérens, at the foot of a high-mountain cirque closed off by the Mont-Collon and bordered by glaciers. From the late nineteenth century, this setting made Arolla a high place of mountaineering, frequented by the British pioneers of the golden age of the Alps.
To this day, the village remains a high-mountain base prized by mountaineers, ski tourers and lovers of great glacial landscapes.
Mont-Collon.
Pigne d'Arolla.
The Mont-Collon (3 637 m) is the dark rocky pyramid that closes off the head of the valley, the emblematic silhouette of Arolla. The Pigne d'Arolla (3 796 m) is the most frequented snow-covered peak, the high point of the Haute Route ski tour.
The Aiguille de la Tsa, a slender rocky tooth, is a regional climbing classic. All around, the Bouquetins and other ridges complete a cirque reserved for mountaineers.
Tsidjiore Nouve
glacier.
The Arolla cirque is drained by several glaciers, including the Tsidjiore Nouve glacier and the Pièce glacier, which descend from the Mont-Collon and the Pigne. Their tongues and moraines can be observed from the paths around the village.
These glaciers have been the subject of long-standing scientific monitoring and bear witness, through their retreat, to changes in the alpine climate. Several walks allow you to approach their snout safely.
Vignettes, Bertol,
Tsa, Bouquetins.
The cirque is dotted with Swiss Alpine Club huts: the Cabane des Vignettes (approx. 3 160 m), the Cabane de Bertol (approx. 3 311 m), perched on its rock, the Cabane de la Tsa and the Cabane des Bouquetins.
These refuges serve as high-mountain bases for mountaineering routes and the stages of the Haute Route. Several can be reached in a day from Arolla, on glacial routes that require the supervision of a guide.
At the foot
of the peaks.
The Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus stands in Arolla, at 2 070 m, facing the Mont-Collon. From its garden, you take in the whole glacial cirque. Founded in 1896, the hotel has welcomed generations of mountaineers.
Our reception can point you to local mountain guides and advise on conditions. Reception open 9am–7pm, 7 days a week: +41 27 283 70 00.
The peaks,
in practice.
What are the main peaks of Arolla?
The Mont-Collon (3 637 m), a rocky pyramid that closes off the valley; the Pigne d'Arolla (3 796 m), the high point of the Haute Route ski tour; the Aiguille de la Tsa, a climbing classic; and the Bouquetins. The cirque is surrounded by glaciers and high-mountain huts.
What is the altitude of the Pigne d'Arolla?
The Pigne d'Arolla rises to 3 796 m. It is the high point of the classic Haute Route ski tour between Chamonix and Zermatt. The ascent usually passes by the Cabane des Vignettes (approx. 3 160 m).
Can you see the glaciers of Arolla without being a mountaineer?
Yes. Several walking paths allow you to approach the glacier snouts and the viewpoints over the Mont-Collon and the Pigne d'Arolla without any technical commitment. Walking on the glaciers themselves, however, requires the supervision of a guide.
Do you need a guide to climb the peaks of Arolla?
Yes, except for experienced self-reliant mountaineers. The glacial terrain, the crevasses and the technical passages require the supervision of a certified mountain guide. Our reception can point you to local guides.
Which mountain huts surround Arolla?
Several Swiss Alpine Club huts dot the Arolla cirque: the Cabane des Vignettes (approx. 3 160 m), the Cabane de Bertol (approx. 3 311 m), the Cabane de la Tsa and the Cabane des Bouquetins. They serve as high-mountain bases for mountaineering routes and the stages of the Haute Route.
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